Orpheus Arts Jazz Series

Suitable for young adults from 11 years upwards.

George Colligan is not only one of the great jazz pianists of his generation, but he has earned an international reputation as a multi-instrumentalist( drums, trumpet, organ, keyboards), composer, accompanist, teacher, and bandleader. Winner of the 2015 DownBeat magazine Critics Poll (Keyboard), he has had a long association with living jazz legend Jack DeJohnette. With over 130 albums to date as an accompanist, Colligan has worked with a long list of jazz greats, including Buster Williams, Cassandra Wilson, Don Byron, Ravi Coltrane, and many others. HIs latest album, “Nation Divided“(Whirlwind Records) is his 30th as a bandleader. Colligan, a New York resident for 15 years, now resides in Portland, Oregon where he is an Associate Professor at Portland State University.

PRESS HIGHLIGHTS

"Captivating and unpredictable." ★★★★ The Guardian

"More Powerful showcases Colligan's colourful use of a jazz vocabulary in the modernist tradition... It's far more than a blowing session." Jazzwise Magazine "This set of sprightly numbers all penned by Colligan, don't hold back at any time... The sheer vitality of his playing is truly remarkable, his tunes uniformly memorable and vibrant." ★★★★ All About Jazz

“Boundless creativity without ever forgetting the importance of a beautiful melody.” Radio REC "More Powerful" may be one of the hardest-hitting contemporary jazz records you'll hear this year." Step Tempest "Swinging with pinpoint accuracy and real force, the perfect foundation for Colligan’s fast, boppish melodies and high-energy extrapolations." Stereo Gum "A thoughtfully programmed, impressively accomplished affair that should win Colligan plenty of new admirers." London Jazz “This is powerful, accessible, exciting contemporary jazz by a crack team of high-level operatives, treading a fine line between maintaining the tradition and pushing at the frontiers.” Jazz Views “Colligan’s writing continues to showcase a talent for clen, clear melodies that stay with the listener long after the album is finished.” Herald Scotland An impressive offering from Colligan. The standard of the musicianship is excellent throughout, sometimes dazzlingly so, these musicians have ‘chops’ in spades. ★★★★ The Jazz Mann

Rear entrance, with disabled access, off North Street PE9 2ZS.

We have a small car park at the rear; nearby public car parks on North Street & Scotgate are free on Sundays & in the evenings.